Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ June 17, 2018

First reading:
Birds of every kind shall dwell beneath it, every winged thing in the shade of its boughs. (Ez. 17:23b)

Psalm:
Lord, it is good to give thanks to you. (Ps. 92)

Second reading:
Yet we are courageous, and we would rather leave the body and go home to the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8)

Gospel:
“This is how it is with the kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land? Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.” (Mk. 4:26, 28-29)

Live the Liturgy—Inspiration for the Week:
Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed, the tiniest of seeds. When planted, the tiny mustard seed grows into a tremendous tree with large branches. So, too, in each of our lives, small things can have profound effects. God can use one of our more insignificant gestures to radically change another person’s life. It may be the kindness of a smile, our willingness to accommodate someone, listening to someone’s story, helping someone who is hurting, standing up for someone who is right, or complimenting someone on something they did. We all have God-given gifts and talents. Our task is to use them creatively, consistently, lovingly, and generously. We trust that God will take care of the rest.

Catholic Quotes—Words to Inspire the Faithful:

Upcoming Events:

• AA Meetings: St. Francis Solanus church, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m.
• Food Pantries: There is a food pantry at the Ovid Federated church on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. The food truck is available to everyone every other Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. (June 12 and June 26). A food pantry is at the Interlaken Reformed church on Fridays, 3:00–6:00 p.m. The Trumansburg food pantry is at the Methodist church every other Monday 1:00–2:00 p.m. and 5:30–6:00 p.m. (June 11 and June 25)
• Meeting with Fr. Bernard: 6:30 p.m. every Friday at St. Francis Solanus church, Interlaken, no appointment needed.
• A Grand Adventure by Bus: Visit Our Lady of Victory national shrine (Fr. Baker shrine) and the Buffalo-Erie County Botanical Gardens in Lackawanna on June 19
• Parish Council Meeting: June 21 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Francis church annex, Interlaken.
• Summer Religious Education: from Monday, August 13, through Friday, August 17, at the St. Fidelis Friary boathouse. Each day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 3:30 p.m.

Wedding:
Andrew James Durand and Gretchen Marie Gross celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage on June 9, 2018, at Holy Cross Church in Ovid.

Father’s Day:
We wish all the Fathers of our parish a “Happy Day.” Enjoy all the greetings of appreciation for the love and service you have given to your family. You are an inspiration to us all. May God bless and reward you many times over.

Be a Witness of Charity:
Next week, we will take up the Peter’s Pence Collection, which provides Pope Francis with the funds he needs to carry out his charitable works around the world. The proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters on the margins of society, including victims of war, oppression, and disasters. Please be generous. For more information, visit www.usccb.org/peters-pence. “A little mercy makes the world less cold and more just,” said Pope Francis.

Fr. Richard:
As of June 1, 2018, Rev. Richard Crawley, OFM Cap., has been assigned to St. Fidelis Friary, Interlaken. The Provincial Minister, Fr. Michael Greco, OFM Cap., of the Province of St. Mary, nominated him to Bishop Salvatore Matano as the Catholic chaplain at the Cayuga Correctional Facility in Moravia, N.Y. The bishop appointed Fr. Richard to that ministry beginning July 6. Fr. Michael Greco also requested Fr. Richard to help when available in the Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy. Please join in welcoming Fr. Richard.

Parish Council Meeting:
Veteran and new council members will meet this Thursday, June 21, at 7:00 p.m. at the parish center in Interlaken. Following the business portion of the meeting there will be the election of a new executive committee (chair, vice chair, and secretary) and the appointment of members and alternates to one of the following standing committees: Word, Worship, Witness, and Fellowship. The new council comprises the following parishioners: Laurenda Denmark, Gerald Frank, Susan Guydosh, Scott Hamula, Norman Hummel, Michelle Humulock, Leo Kawczenski, Jacqueline Leidenfrost, Janice McLaughlin, Gerard Messmer, Andrew Morpurgo, Richard Pell, Jessica Portillo, Kathleen Rourke, and Barbara Willers. The alternates are: Timothy Davis, Thomas Duff, and Nancy McGourty.

World Refugee Day:
This Wednesday has been declared “World Refugee Day.” Prayers and ideas can be found at: justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/world-refugee-day/

A Reminder:
When making a donation to the parish by check, please make the check out to “The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy” or more simply “Mary, Mother of Mercy.” Please do not make checks out in the name of one of the three churches.

Summer Faith Formation Program:
The parish’s summer religious education program will run from Monday, August 13, through Friday, August 17. Each day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and last until 3:30 p.m. at the St. Fidelis Friary boathouse, 153 County Road 153, Interlaken. There is a fee of $50 per child, with a discount if siblings are attending. Please do not let the registration fee prevent your child from attending. If you have questions please contact Helen Arco at [email protected]. Parents are asked to sign up their children by Friday, June 29. The registration form is available here.

Birthright of Ithaca:
The parish received a “thank you” from Birthright of Ithaca for the support of the Mothers’ Day flower sale. “The ongoing support in our endeavor to help mothers in crisis pregnancies is a true blessing. God has touches the hearts of many to assure that we may continue our mission and His work. We are truly grateful.”

A Grand Adventure:
St. Mary’s of the Lake Parish, Watkins Glen, is hosting a bus trip to Our Lady of Victory National Shrine (Fr. Baker Shrine) and the Buffalo-Erie County Botanical Gardens in Lackawanna on Tuesday, June 19. The bus departs from St. Mary’s in Watkins Glen, 905 Decatur Street, at 8 a.m. arriving at the shrine around 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a relaxing, spiritually uplifting day while also visiting the Fr. Baker museum, the gift shop, and attending Mass at 12:10. The Botanical Gardens, with an array of flowers and plant life, are just a block away. The bus will depart at 4:00 p.m. arriving at St. Mary’s at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $40 and you should bring your own lunch. For more information and reservations phone 607 525 2786.

Right to Life:
Three times in modern history the word “person” has been redefined. In 1857 the U.S. Supreme Court declared that African Americans were not legal persons, instead they were the “property” of their owners. It wasn’t until 1868 that the fourteenth amendment granted full U.S. citizenship to African-Americans. In 1936 the German Supreme Court, the Reichsgericht, refused to recognize as persons any Jews living in Germany. Soon afterwards genocide became legal in that country and it is estimated that over six million Jews were killed in the resulting Holocaust. In 1973 the U.S Supreme Court ruled that the unborn were not persons in the legal sense: they have no civil or human rights. The unborn are the “property” of the mother, who can “choose” to abort them up to the day of delivery. Justice Henry Blackmon in Roe v. Wade wrote: “The word person as used in the Fourteenth Amendment does not include the unborn.” Please pray that every person will be granted the God given rights to which each individual is entitled, from conception to natural death.

Great Links:
The New York State Catholic Conference has an excellent website. It is a good way to stay informed of the issues and a great way for each of you to quickly notify your legislators regarding issues that concern you, at http://www.nyscatholic.org. Another link, by Catholic Charities, USA, offers a variety of helpful programs. See https://catholiccharitiesusa.org/advocacy-and-policy.

Guidelines for the Reception of Holy Communion:
Please note that our Catholic Church has a discipline regarding communion, namely, that Catholics cannot receive communion in non-Catholic churches and non-Catholics cannot receive communion in Catholic churches. A summarized rationale is that there is no uniformity among the churches regarding the understanding of the Eucharist and that, even though we may be one in our belief in Jesus, in reality we are divided as believers in Jesus. The Catholic Church’s discipline highlights the reminder and the need to continually work for oneness among Christians, that we all may be one in faith, life, and worship. Please communicate to Catholics and to non-Catholics that they respect and follow the Catholic discipline. The guidelines can be found in our hymnals on page 231.

Cemeteries:
The Parish of Mary, Mother of Mercy has two cemeteries: St. James the Apostle and Holy Cross. The cost of a burial plot at either location is $650. If you are interested in purchasing a plot of have other questions about the cemeteries, please phone the parish office for further information.

Thrift Shop:
Mecklenburg United Methodist Church has a thrift shop that is open every Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from now until September 29. The thrift shop has quality household and craft items, puzzles, toys, children’s clothes, sporting goods, books, CDs, small furniture, knick-knacks, kitchenware, and much more at very reasonable prices. Generous volunteers from the Mecklenburg United Methodist Church members and other area residents maintain the Check-It-Out Shop. All of the proceeds go directly to the maintenance and upkeep of the Methodist Church and to support other area efforts, like the food bank and backpacks-for-students programs at area schools.

Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester:
The sisters have a prayer ministry and throughout 2018 Sister Anne Marie Burns will be praying for our parish and parishioners. Such an act of love offers us the opportunity to keep Sr. Anne Marie and the Sisters of St. Joseph in our prayers.

Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes:
Pregnancy Care Center of the Finger Lakes, located at 551 Exchange St. in Geneva, is offering a “Forgiven and Set Free” post abortive ten-week session beginning October 4 until December 13. There is no cost involved. “If you regret your abortion, you are not alone. Let us help you learn to forgive yourself. Pleased join us for this healing ministry program.” For more information phone 315 789 0708.

Cancer Services Program (CSP):
Cortland and Tompkins Counties offer free cancer screenings to those who are uninsured or have health insurance that does not cover these screenings. The screening services are provided in local health centers, doctors’ offices, and hospitals. For more information, contact CSP at 866 442 2262.

Toiletries and Hygiene Products:
There is a basket in the vestibule of St. James church for donations of toiletries. The request comes from Catholic Charities which is in need of items like shampoo, toothpaste, diapers etc. The items will be transferred to the Catholic Charities office in Ithaca.

The Seneca County Transportation Corps:
This organization provides rides for residents of Seneca County to medical and dental appointments and other health-related destinations. If you need a ride phone 315–333–2179 or email [email protected].

Ministry Schedule for St. James the Apostle

June 17, 9:00 a.m. (third Sunday):
Lectors: Barbara Willers and Nancy Olszewski
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Beth and Tom Duff, Debbie Short

June 24, 9:00 a.m. (fourth Sunday):
Lectors: Beth Duff and Tim Davis
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: Tom Duff, Joan Hogan, Tim O’Boyle

Ministry Schedule for St. Francis Solanus Church

5:00 p.m. Mass on Saturdays